Delayed action switch



1-1. w. JONES DELAY ACTION SWITCH Original Filed Oct 11, 1934 INVENTOR 8w Y 0 E m w m R T A Mfm m Patented Aug. 29, 1939 PATENT OFFlCE DELAYEDACTION SWITCH Homer W. Jones, Westfield, N. J.,

assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation,

a. corporation of New York Application October 11, 1934, Serial No.747,850 Renewed July 30, 1938 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a delayed action switch, and more particularlyto a delayed action circuit breaker especially. adapted for use in anelectric igniting circuit of the type in which ignition is produced byintermittent or occasional contact of two terminals of the circuit. Theinvention is especially useful in connection with the ignition of gasesissuing from gas-delivering appliances, such as blowpipes, in itsapplication to which the invention will be described.

In the operation of blowpipes and the like it is sometimes undesirableor inadvisable to employ a separate handlighter or a constantly burningflame for lighting the operating gas jet. At times, therefore, ignitionof the gas jet has been effected by means of an electric spark betweentwo terminals, of which the blowpipe tip is made one. A disadvantage ofsuch an arrangement is that if the operator should permit contactbetween the terminals for any appreciable time, as by laying down theblowpipe on the work, which may form the other terminal, a continuousshort circuit results which mayaifect disadvantageously the source ofelectromotive force which is used; as, for instance, overheating a.transformer or discharging a battery. Furthermore, when more than oneblowpipe is used in the circuit and one of the blowpipes is permitted toremain in contact with the work, the remaining blowpipe lighters arerendered inoperative.

One object of the invention is to provide, in an electric ignitingcircuit, means whereby the circuit is closed only when actually needed.An-

other object is the provision in such a circuit 35' of means whereby anumber of units may be ignited, as required, without affecting theignition of other units in the circuit. A further object is theprovision in such a circuit of means whereby ignition cannot be effectedunintentionally. Other objects will become apparent upon considerationof the following specification.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in its application to ablowpipe igniting circuit in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic View of an apparatus constructed andarranged in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical mid-section through a circuit breaker for use inthe igniting circuit; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an igniting circuit for use with aplurality of blowpipes and a plurality of work pieces.

According to the present invention as applied to blowpipe ignition, ametallic part of a blowpipe is made one terminal of a circuit includinga source of electromotive force, the metal work piece upon which theblowpipe is to operate is made the other terminal of the circuit, and adelayed-action time controlled circuit breaker is electrically connectedin the circuit. Accordingly, the electric igniting circuit for theblowpipe is automatically broken after a predetermined time interval.Where desired, a plurality of blowpipes may be connected in parallel inthe circuit, and a circuit breaker may be disposed in the branch circuitwith each blowpipe. Referring now to the drawing and more particularlyto Figure 1, it will be observed that there is shown an electricigniting circuit it], including a secondary coil H of a transformer I2.The voltage used in the circuit H1 is low, preferably between 2 and 20volts, so as not to shock the operator, but is sufficiently high toforce a substantial current, preferably between 5 and amperes, throughthe resistance of the circuit. Some other source of electromotive force,such as a storage or other battery having a sufficiently low voltage toavoid shocking the worker and a sufficiently low internal resistance toproduce the necessary current intensity through the resistance of thecomplete circuit, may be employed in place of the coil H. A blowpipe l3and a work piece 14 form the terminals of the circuit. The blowpipe I 3has a source of fuel gas and a source of combustion supporting gasconnected thereto. The source of fuel gas is here shown as a tube 15,the source of combustion supporting gas is illustrated as. a tube, 16,and both are connected to the blowpipe 13 in the usual manner. Valves 6?and iii are provided for controlling the flow of these gases through theblowpipe. A circuit breaker 29, described more particularly hereinafter,is connected in the circuit It between the transformer and the blowpipe,aconductor 2% serving to connect the secondary coil I l with the circuitbreaker, and a second conductor 21, having a resistance 22 therein,connecting the circuit breaker to the blowpipe. The other end of thesecondary coil l I is connected to the work piece 14 by a conductor 23,and it is shown as having a spring clip 24, to which the conductor 23 isattached, gripping the edge of the work piece. Obviously the work piecemay be connected with the source of electromotive force by differentmeans.

When necessary or desirable, a plurality of blowpipes may be connectedto a single source of electromotive force and such an arrangement isillustrated in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the conductor 20 leads fromthe source of electromotive force (not shown) and branches intoconductors 23', 20, 20, forming three parallel circuits in each of whicha blowpipe I3 is connected forming the terminal thereof. A conductor 23is connected to the other side of the source of electromotive force andis continued in three parallel branch conductors 23, 23, 23, connectedto three work pieces H1, H5, I4, which form the circuit with eachblowpipe.

The circuit breaker employed is a delayed-acafter a predetermined timeinterval of contact.

About three to four seconds usually is sufflcient to light a blowpipeunder ordinary conditions.

One form of circuit breaker which may be em-f" ployed for this purposeis illustrated in Fig. 2. In this form of circuit breaker, the conductor29 is connected to a binding post 23a on the circuit breaker, inelectrical contact with a second binding post 2019, from which aconductor 25 leads through the circuit breaker casing to make electricalconnection with a movable contact 25. A second movable contact 21 iselectrically connected with a conductor 28 which leads to the winding ofa solenoid 29 forming part of the circuit breaker I9. The movablecontacts 26 and 21 are adapted to abut each other, thus closing theelectric circuit between them. They are bent substantially in the formshown, but are slightly resilient to prevent breakage and to insurebetter contact. The conductor 2! is connected to the other end of thewinding of the solenoid 23, passing out of the casing of the circuitbreaker.

The movable contacts 26 and 21 are carried by and insulated from thearms of a toggle 38, which are mounted in the circuit breaker casing andpivotally connected by a pin. A' rod 3| is disposed centrally of thecircuit breaker and carries a movable core 32 which is operablyassociated with the solenoid 29. It is to be noted that the pinconnecting the arms of the toggle 3!! is not connected with the rod 3|.When the solenoid is energized the movable core 32 is pulled upwardlyinto the solenoid, thereby moving the rod 3! in the same direction andraising a flange or collar 31, which is connected to, or which forms apart of the rod 3|, until this flange or collar engages the togglebeneath the pin connecting its arms. The flange or collar 3! beingpulled further in an upwardly direction moves the toggle upwardlythrough the central position of its arms. Thus, the contactscZB and 21are separated and held apart breaking the circuit and preventing passageof current through the circuit breaker. A stationary core 33 within thesolenoid assists this action; and a helical spring 34 bearing upon astationary element 35 within the casing and upon an adjustable abutment36 upon the rod 3| tends to oppose the upward movement of the movablecore 32 and of the rod 3| with the flange 31. The toggle may be reset,with the contacts 26 and 2'l'again closing the circuit, by movement of alever 38. The lever 38 may be an extension of one of the arms of thetoggle 39 being pivoted as at 39 within the casing and extending throughthe casing to a handle it by means of which the toggle and,

with it the contacts 26 and 21, may be operated. The circuit breaker mayalso serve as an on and ofi switch.

As stated, the circuit breaker is a delayedaction circuit breaker, thecircuit therethrough being broken automatically after the circuit hasbeen continuously closed for the desired time interval. In theembodiment illustrated a dash pot 4| is provided for retarding thebreaking of the circuit for the desired interval of time. The dash potcomprises a cylinder 42 disposed above the solenoid 29, a piston 43movable in the cylinder and operably connected to the movable core otherterminals and other branch circuits. -A 32. of the solenoid, and aneedle valve mechanism circuit breaker I9 is connected inthebranch,

id for regulating the action of the dash pot. The piston 33 is connectedwith the movable core 32 by means of a hollow piston rod 15 having anopening d3 therein for admission of air. A ball Valve 5'! closes tightlythe upper end of the piston rod G5 which extends through the piston 43within the cylinder, the ball valve 4'? being held upon its seat by ahelical spring 48. Thus, the piston 43 may move freely in a downwardlydirection, air passing through the opening 46 into the interior of thepiston rod and forcing the ball valve t? from its seat to enter thecylinder 42 as the piston descends. Upward movement of the pistonhowever, will not cause passage of the fluid therein through the hollowpiston rod 45' because of the action of the ball valve il. However, theneedle valve mechanism 44 provides for discharge of fluid from thecylinder 42 as the piston 43 moves upwardly, in a manner which will nowbe explained.

A port Q9 is provided at the top of the cylinder 32 by a housing 58fitted therein. The housing 5!? has openings 5| therein through whichfluid passing throughthe port Q9 may escape. A needle valve 52, carriedby a stem 53 having a threaded section 56 operable in the housing 5|],is adjustable by means of a knurled head 55. The rate at which fluid maypass through the port d9 may therefore be controlled by turning theknurled head and thereby adjusting the position of the needle valve 52.The rate of upward move ment of the piston 33, and therefore of the rod3|, is governed by turning the knurled head 55. Consequently, the timetaken for the contacts 26 and 27 to be separated may be easily regulatedby means of the needle valve mechanism. Once the toggle 33 has attainedits upward position with the contacts separated the circuit breakerwillmaintain the circuit open until the handle G0 is pulled upward inorder again to close the circuit. I In operation, the operator turns ,onthe gases entering the blowpipe by means of the valves l1 and I8, closesthe circuit through the circuit breaker by pulling up the handle 40 andthen rubs the tip of the blowpipe l3 on the work piece l4. This producessparks and heated particles of oxide which light the gases at the tip ofthe blowpipe; The flame is then adjusted by means of the valves H andi8, and the operator proceeds with his work.

Meantime the circuit breaker maintains a closed circuit therethroughunless the external circuit is closed continuously for the predeterminedinterval of time, passage of current through the solenoid 29 slightlyraising the movable core 32 against the action of thehelical spring 3 3as fluid escapes through the port 49. However, the moment the circuit isopened externally the action of the solenoid upon the movable coreceases and the helical spring 3 returns the rod 3i with the flange 3? toits original position. However, should the external circuit be closedfor the predetermined time interval the flange 31 will move the toggle30 and break the circuit through the circuit breaker. No current thenpassing through the circuit breaker, the helical spring 34 will draw therod 3! downwardly until the flange 3'! assumes its original position butthe circuit will then remain open until the circuit breaker is reset byhand, since the rod 3! and the flange 31 do not act to move the toggle3d downwardly. If, for any reason, the blowpipe gases are shut off andit is desired again to light the blowpipe for continuation of the work,the circuit breaker is reset by hand by pulling upwardly the handle 4%!and the work may be continued. If the external circuit has not beenclosed for the predetermined time interval there will of course, be nooccasion for resetting the circuit breaker as the circuit therethroughwill not have been broken.

The same procedure is followed where a plurality of blowpipes isemployed, and because of the action of the circuit breakers anyoperation or misuse of one blowpipe will not interfere with ignition ofthe others.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the inventionprovides, in an electric igniting circuit, a delayed action switchwhereby the circuit is broken after being closed for a predeterminedtime interval, and whereby the source of electromotive force cannot bedamaged or discharged by continued contact of the terminals of thecircuit. It will be further evident that, in circuits employing circuitbreakers constructed in accordance with the invention, a plurality ofigniting units may be included in the circuit and contact between theterminals of one unit will not affect ignition of the other units in thecircuit. The circuit breaker is s mple, rugged, easily operated andeasily maintained.

The forms here illustrated and described are presented merely toindicate how the invention may be applied. Other forms, differing indetail but not in principle from those here set forth, will readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A delayed-action circuit-breaker comprising a solenoid, a movablecore operably associated with said solenoid, an electric circuit inseries with said solenoid and including resilient contact members formaking and breaking said circuit, a toggle carrying said contact membersoperated by said movable core to make and break said circuit quickly ata point in the movement of said core, a dash pot having a piston rigidlyconnected to said movable core, and a needle valve mechanism forregulating the action of said dash pot.

2. In a circuit breaker, the combination of a toggle mechanismcomprising a pair of pivotallyconnected arms; an electric circuitincluding a pair of contacts, one mounted on each of said arms; anddelayed-action means, including a solenoid coil in said circuit, adaptedto actuate automatically said toggle mechanism to separate said contactsand open said circuit.

3. A circuit breaker comprising, in combination, a pair of cooperatingand relatively movable contacts; a solenoid in circuit with saidcontacts; mechanism operable either to move said contacts intoengagement and close said circuit or to separate said contacts and opensaid circuit; a device for actuating said mechanism, said device beingmovable in one of two opposite directions by said solenoid when thelatter is energized, to actuate said mechanism to separate said contactsand open said circuit; and means operable when said contacts areseparated and said solenoid becomes de-energized for moving said deviceindependently of said mechanism and in a reverse direction and to itsinitial position, thereby leaving said contacts separated and saidcircuit open.

l. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in which said last-namedmeans comprises a resilient means also acting to retard the separationof said contacts.

5. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in which said deviceincludes a member operable to engage and actuate said mechanism toseparate said contacts upon movement of said device in one direction andto limit movement of said device in the reverse direction.

6. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, including means independentof said device for actuating said mechanism in one direction to separatesaid contacts and in a different direction to move said contacts intoengagement.

'7. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in combination with meansoperable to retard the movement of said device when said solenoid isenergized.

8. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in combination with meansoperable to retard the movement of said device when said solenoid isenergized; and mechanism for adjustably controlling the action of saidretarding means.

9. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in which said devicecomprises a movable core for said solenoid; and a fixed core isassociated with said solenoid to assist the action of said movable corewhen said solenoid is energized.

10. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, in which said mechanismcomprises a pair of toggle arms; said contacts are severally carried bysaid toggle arms; and said device comprises a movable core for saidsolenoid and a collar operatively connected to said core and adapted toactuate said toggle arms.

11. A circuit breaker comprising, in combination, a toggle having twoarms; a contact mounted on each arm of said toggle, such contacts beingadapted to abut each other in one position of said toggle and toseparate in the other position thereof; automatic means operativelyassociated with said toggle for moving the same to one position only;and manual means operatively associated with said toggle for moving thesame to either position.

12. A switch comprising, in combination, a pair of arms pivotallyinterconnected to form a toggle; a spring secured to each arm and havinga free end substantially perpendicular to such arm; an electricalcontact on the free end of each spring; and means for operating saidtoggle to move said contacts into and out of operative engagement witheach other.

HOMER W. JONES.

